Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.It's a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners.It's important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family.With the right support, which can include self-help strategies and therapy, most women make a full recovery.Symptoms of postnatal depressionMany women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is often called the "baby blues" and is so common that it's considered normal. The "baby blues" don't last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth. If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression. Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth.Signs that you or someone you know might be depressed include:

a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood

lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world

lack of energy and feeling tired all the time

trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day

difficulty bonding with your baby

withdrawing from contact with other people

problems concentrating and making decisions

frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting your baby

Many women don't realise they have postnatal depression, because it can develop gradually.Read more about the symptoms of postnatal depression.Getting help for postnatal depressionSpeak to your GP or health visitor if you think you may be depressed. Many health visitors have been trained to recognise postnatal depression and have techniques that can help. If they can't help, they'll know someone in your area who can.Encourage your partner to seek help if you think they might be having problems.Don't struggle alone hoping that the problem will go away.Remember that:

a range of help and support is available, including therapy

depression is an illness like any other

it's not your fault you're depressed – it can happen to anyone

being depressed doesn't mean you're a bad parent

it doesn't mean you're going mad

your baby won't be taken away from you – babies are only taken into care in very exceptional circumstances

Treatments for postnatal depressionPostnatal depression can be lonely, distressing and frightening, but support and effective treatments are available.These include:

self-help – things you can try yourself include: talking to your family and friends about your feelings and what they can do to help, making time for yourself to do things you enjoy, resting whenever you get the chance and getting as much sleep as you can at night, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet

a history of mental health problems, particularly depression, earlier in life

a history of mental health problems during pregnancy

having no close family or friends to support you

a poor relationship with your partner

recent stressful life events, such as a bereavement

experiencing the "baby blues"

Even if you don't have any of these symptoms, having a baby is a life-changing event that can sometimes trigger depression.It often takes time to adapt to becoming a new parent. Looking after a small baby can be stressful and exhausting.Can postnatal depression be prevented?Although there have been several studies into preventing postnatal depression, there is no evidence that there's anything specific you can do to prevent the condition developing, apart from maintaining as healthy a lifestyle as you can for yourself.However, if you have a history of depression or mental health problems, or if you have a family history of mental health problems after childbirth, tell your GP or mental health team if you're pregnant or thinking of having a baby. This is so they can offer you appropriate monitoring and treatment, if necessary.If you have had a mental health problem while pregnant, your doctor should arrange for you to be seen regularly in the first few weeks after birth.Myths about postnatal depressionPostnatal depression is often misunderstood and there are many myths surrounding it. These include:

Postnatal depression is less severe than other types of depression.In fact, it's as serious as other types of depression.

Postnatal depression is entirely caused by hormonal changes. It's actually caused by many different factors.

Postnatal depression will soon pass. Unlike the "baby blues", postnatal depression can persist for months if left untreated. In a minority of cases, it can become a long-term problem.

Postnatal depression only affects women. Research has actually found that up to 1 in 10 new fathers become depressed after having a baby.

Postnatal depression can affect women in different ways. It can start at any point in the first year after giving birth and may develop suddenly or gradually.Many women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is often called the "baby blues" and is so common that it's considered normal. The "baby blues" don't last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth. If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression.Common symptoms of postnatal depressionThe main symptoms include:

a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood

loss of interest in the world around you and no longer enjoying things that used to give you pleasure

lack of energy and feeling tired all the time

trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day

feeling that you're unable to look after your baby

problems concentrating and making decisions

loss of appetite or an increased appetite (comfort eating)

feeling agitated, irritable or very apathetic (you "can't be bothered")

feelings of guilt, hopelessness and self-blame

difficulty bonding with your baby with a feeling of indifference and no sense of enjoyment in their company

frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting your baby; these can be scary, but they're very rarely acted upon

These symptoms can affect your day-to-day life and your relationships with your baby, your family and friends.If you think you may be depressed, talk to your GP or health visitor as soon as possible so you can access the support you need.Don't struggle on alone and hope the problem will go away. It can continue for months or years if nothing is done.Fathers and partners can also become depressed after the birth of a baby. You should seek help if this is affecting you.Read more about treating postnatal depression.Spotting the signs in othersPostnatal depression can develop gradually and it can be hard to recognise. Some parents may avoid talking to family and friends about how they're feeling because they worry they'll be judged for not coping or not appearing happy.Signs for partners, family and friends to look out for in new parents include:

frequently crying for no obvious reason

having difficulty bonding with their baby, looking after them only as a duty and not wanting to play with them

withdrawing from contact with other people

speaking negatively all the time and claiming that they're hopeless

neglecting themselves, such as not washing or changing their clothes

losing all sense of time, such as being unaware whether 10 minutes or 2 hours have passed

losing their sense of humour

constantly worrying that something is wrong with their baby, regardless of reassurance

If you think someone you know is depressed, encourage them to talk about their feelings to you, a friend, their GP or their health visitor.Related conditionsAs well as postnatal depression, a number of other mental health conditions can also develop after giving birth.These include:

Speak to your GP or health visitor if you think you may have developed an anxiety disorder or OCD.Contact your GP immediately if you think that you or someone you know may have postpartum psychosis, as it's a medical emergency. If this isn't possible, call NHS 111 or your local out-of-hours service.If you think there's a danger of immediate harm, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Speak to your GP or health visitor as soon as possible if you think you might have postnatal depression.With appropriate treatment and support, most women make a full recovery, although it can take time.The 3 main types of treatment are:

self-help strategies

therapy

medication

Talk to your GP about the pros and cons of different treatments so you can decide together what's best for you.Your GP might also want to check your physical health to see if there are any problems that may need to be addressed as well. For instance, you may be anaemic after giving birth and that could add to any feelings of depression you might have.Self-helpLooking after a baby can be stressful and challenging for anyone, and it can be even tougher if you're dealing with postnatal depression as well.There are a number of things you can try yourself to improve your symptoms and help you cope. These include:

talk to your partner, friends and family – try to help them understand how you're feeling and what they can do to support you

don't try to be a "supermum" – accept help from others when it's offered and ask your loved ones if they can help look after the baby and do tasks such as housework, cooking and shopping

make time for yourself – try to do activities that you find relaxing and enjoyable, such as going for a walk, listening to music, reading a book or having a warm bath

rest when you can – although it can be difficult when you're looking after a baby, try to sleep whenever you get the chance, follow good sleeping habits and ask your partner to help with the night-time work

exercise regularly – this has been shown to help boost mood in people with mild depression (read more about exercise for depression)

eat regular, healthy meals and don't go for long periods without eating

Ask your health visitor about support services in your area. They may be able to put you in touch with a social worker, counsellor or local support group. It can be reassuring to meet other women who are going through something similar.Find postnatal depression support and information in your area.Psychological treatments Psychological therapies are usually the first treatment recommended for women with postnatal depression.Guided self-help Guided self-help involves working through a book or online course on your own or with some help from a therapist.The course materials focus on the issues you might be facing, with practical advice on how to deal with them.The courses typically last 9 to 12 weeks.Cognitive behavioural therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy based on the idea that unhelpful and unrealistic thinking leads to negative behaviour.CBT aims to break this cycle and find new ways of thinking that can help you behave in a more positive way.For example, some women have unrealistic expectations about what being a mum is like and feel they should never make mistakes. As part of CBT, you'll be encouraged to see that these thoughts are unhelpful and discuss ways to think more positively.CBT can be carried out either one-to-one with a therapist or in a group. Treatment will often last 3 to 4 months.Interpersonal therapy (IPT) involves talking to a therapist about the problems you're experiencing.It aims to identify problems in your relationships with family, friends or partners and how they might relate to your feelings of depression.Treatment also usually lasts 3 to 4 months.Antidepressants may be recommended if you have moderate or severe depression and you don't want to try psychological treatment or psychological treatment doesn't help.They may also be used if you have mild postnatal depression and a history of depression.Antidepressants work by balancing mood-altering chemicals in your brain. They can help ease symptoms such as low mood, irritability, lack of concentration and sleeplessness, allowing you to function normally and helping you cope better with your new baby.Antidepressants usually need to be taken for at least a week before the benefit starts to be felt, so it's important to keep taking them even if you don't notice an improvement straight away. You'll usually need to take them for around 6 months after you start to feel better. If you stop too early, your depression may return.Antidepressants and breast feeding If you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about suitable medicines, as not all anti-depressants are safe to take while breastfeeding.Your doctor should explain any risks of taking antidepressants and you should be offered the type with the least risk for you and your baby.side effects of antidepressants include:

These side effects should pass once your body gets used to the medication.Severe postnatal depression If your postnatal depression is very severe and it doesn't respond to the treatments above, you'll probably be referred to a specialist mental health team.Your team will be able to try additional treatments, such as:

therapies such as baby massage to help you bond better with your baby, if this has become a problem

different medications

electro convulsive therapy (ECT) – where electrodes are placed on your head and pulses of electricity are sent through the brain, which may improve your mood by changing the balance of chemicals in your brain

If it's thought that your depression is so severe that you're at risk of harming yourself or others, you may be admitted to hospital or a mental health clinic.Your baby can either be looked after by your partner or family until you're well enough to return home, or you can stay in a specialised "mother and baby" mental health unit.Charities and support groups There are a number of national support groups that you can contact for advice. You can also use them to attend events with other parents affected by postnatal depression.These groups include: